Are there any people out there who has had to transport a small child in a Burley to pick up a bigger child while transporting the older kid's bike so she can ride home on her own? I would love some sugestions. Bungees on the Burley handlebar? The commute is not far (couple of miles) mostly on dedicated paths and neighborhood streets. We would like to avoid the tag-along train as the older kid prefers riding on her own. Maybe I should get a tandem (more novelty) if I can't find help from the forums. Thanks.

I tried taking my kids on bike rides when the 4 year old was adamant about riding on their own. After about one mile they would give up. Stuffing the 12" bike in the trailer was possible but very unwieldy. I eventually resorted to stashing the bike in the woods and coming back for it later. Only works for out and back type trips. You have to be sure the kid has enough energy to pedal the bike at least part way on the return trip. It is a royal pain to transport a riderless bike.

Are you talented enough to tow the child's bike while you ride your bike?

I have not done it for short rides because it's not convenient, but I did it often for 80-120 km day rides.

Put an old blanket on top of the trailer, then use nylon straps to strap the bike on the roof of the trailer. A bike with 20" wheels can be installed fairly easily on the trailer, but attaching it properly is still a 10-15 minute job.

Now that they are older, a installed a hitch on the front end of a Burley Nomad trailer. If we go for long distances, I can take the tandem + trailercycle (that's for the younger child) + trailer. When the taller kid is tired, I simply remove the front wheel and put the child's bike in the trailer; she continues the ride on the tandem.

There's a device that will allow you to attach a child's bike to the back of your bike like a trail-a-bike -- can't think where I've seen it though. Have wondered if it really works.

You say you're going to "pick up a child", so the question is, how did that child get to the place in the first place?

There's a device that will allow you to attach a child's bike to the back of your bike like a trail-a-bike -- can't think where I've seen it though. Have wondered if it really works.


It's called a Trail Gator. I have been researching them as a solution for riding with my four year old. They seem to be well liked by those that use them.

Ken

Thanks all. I love this forum. I am usually on the commuter threads but now I am looking to you people for other advice. The odler child is at daycare and dropped off by her mom. I'd like to pick them up on the bikes for excersize and fresh air, plus I like NOT using the car.

One problem with a Trail Gator is the brake on the child's bike. I don't think the ride will go too smoothly if the child brakes while moving foward at speed.

That's good thinkin' DieselDan. Is it alright to , say, have a ghost rider on the Tail Gator and a Burley attached at the end? THis is how it would be going to get the actual rider of that Tail Gatored bike. I know it sounds stupid but better to be stupid here than in real life, eh?

Can Mom drop off the older kids bike at daycare when she drops off the older kid?
Some of the parents at my kids daycare do that with the carseats.

My youngest just got old enough to retire the trail-Gator. Great device. It allows the child to use his own bike or hook it up to the tow bike. Stores almost invisible and is pretty easy to ride with.

I Highly recommend it.

You may be able to hook the kids bike to the tow bike and then hook the Burley to the kids bike. Another option I just thought of was to mount a Yakima blockhead to the outer frame of the trailer. This would allow you to remove the front tire and mount the bike to the trailer, just like on a bike rack.

Check the width of the kids bike to make sure it fits the blockhead though.

You may be able to hook the kids bike to the tow bike and then hook the Burley to the kids bike. Another option I just thought of was to mount a Yakima blockhead to the outer frame of the trailer. This would allow you to remove the front tire and mount the bike to the trailer, just like on a bike rack.

Check the width of the kids bike to make sure it fits the blockhead though.
Awesome idea there srp. Burley's tub is very strong and should hold one with some good screws. The child's bike would need a quick release, or carry the wrench with you to take off the wheel. Most front hubs are a standred 110mm width.